Combination dispenser and applicator

ABSTRACT

A combination dispenser and applicator comprising a handle and an applicator removably coupled to the handle. The handle may comprise a dispensing nozzle communicatively coupled to a reservoir disposed within the handle. The reservoir may contain a cosmetic product that can be dispensed through the dispensing nozzle when an actuator is actuated. In some examples, a ferrule affixed to the applicator may enclose the dispensing nozzle when removably coupled to the handle.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/974,963, filed Apr. 3, 2014, entitled “COMBINATION DISPENSER ANDAPPLICATOR,” assigned to the assignee hereof and the entirety of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

In the cosmetic industry, a wide assortment of cosmetic devices andproducts are available for various uses. For instance, compacts may beused to store dry cosmetic product, bottles may be used to store wetcosmetic product, brushes may be used to apply cosmetic product to aface, mirrors may be used to assist in applying a cosmetic product,dispensers may be used to expel cosmetic product from storage, and soon.

A typical cosmetic user may have a collection of any combination ofthese devices. The collection may remain at the user's residence (e.g.,in a bathroom cabinet) or the user may carry the collection or a sub-setof the collection with them when they leave their residence. Forinstance, many cosmetic users carry a collection of cosmetic devices andproducts in a carrying bag or purse.

Because of the wide variety of cosmetic devices and products on themarket, the user's carrying bag often becomes overcrowded and cluttered,making it difficult for the user to quickly find and use a desiredcosmetic device.

Accordingly, there remains a need for cosmetic devices that reducecluttering by combining functions of multiple devices into a singledevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingFIGS. In the FIGS., the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the FIG. in which the reference number first appears. The useof the same reference numbers in different FIGS. indicates similar oridentical items.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example cosmetic device comprising a handle with adispenser nozzle and a removably coupled applicator.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example cosmetic device with a dispensing nozzlecoupled to a reservoir via a dispensing mechanism.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example cosmetic device comprising a handle withan at least partially flexible wall.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example cosmetic device comprising a handle, anapplicator fixed to a ferrule, and a cap in a separated position.

FIG. 5 illustrates multiple embodiments of an applicator that may beremovably coupled to a handle of a cosmetic device.

FIGS. 6A-D illustrate multiple embodiments of handle configurations of acosmetic device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

As discussed above, the wide assortment of available cosmetic devicesmay cause cluttering in a user's purse. Additionally, when each deviceis purchased individually, the costs of maintaining a collection ofcosmetic devices can quickly escalate.

This disclosure is directed to a cosmetic device that combines thefunctions of multiple cosmetic devices into a single device. Forinstance, the functionality of a mister or other dispenser may becombined with the functionality of an applicator.

In some examples, a handle of the cosmetic device may comprise aninternal reservoir for containing a cosmetic product. The internalreservoir may be communicatively coupled to a dispensing nozzle. Productmay be conveyed from the reservoir and expelled from the dispensingnozzle by a dispensing mechanism, such as a pump. Alternatively, thecontents of the reservoir may be under pressure and product may beconveyed from the reservoir and expelled from the nozzle by the pressurewhen a valve is opened. An applicator, such as brush, may be removablycoupled to the handle. In some embodiments, the applicator may cover thedispenser nozzle when coupled.

Multiple and varied example implementations and embodiments aredescribed throughout. However, these examples are merely illustrativeand other implementations and embodiments of a dispenser and applicatordevice may be implemented without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. For instance, certain components, or portions thereof, maybe rearranged, combined, used together, omitted entirely, and/or may beotherwise modified to arrive at variations on the disclosedimplementations.

Illustrative Combination Dispenser and Applicator

FIG. 1 illustrates an example cosmetic device 100 comprising a handle102, a ferrule 104, and an applicator 106 coupled to a first end of theferrule 104. The cosmetic device 100 may be changeable between two ormore positions including: a separated position 108, with the ferrule 104separated from the handle 102, and an attached position 110 with theferrule 104 removably coupled to the handle 102. In the attachedposition 110, a cavity 112 disposed on a second end of the ferrule 104,opposite the first end, may receive a dispensing head 114 extending froman end of the handle 102. The ferrule 104 and the applicator 106 may bemade of a some or different materials, as discussed in greater detailbelow with regards to FIG. 5.

In some examples, the handle 102 may have a circular, triangular,rectangular, regular polygonal, and/or irregular polygonal cross-sectionor combinations thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 102 may have avarying cross cross-section (e.g., a rectangular cross-section near thebottom that transitions into a circular cross-section near the dispenserhead 114). Additionally or alternatively, the handle 102 may be tapered,curved, linear, round, and/or comprise gripping or ergonomic features.In some examples, a cross-section at an end near the dispensing head 114may match a cross-section near the cavity 112 on the second end of theferrule 104, so that the profile of the handle 102 smoothly transitionsinto the profile of the ferrule 104. The cosmetic device 100 may have anappearance of only a brush, or other applicator type, when in theattached position 110 because the dispensing head 114 and/or dispensingfunctionality may be concealed when the cosmetic device 100 is in theattached position 110.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example handle 200 of the cosmetic device 100. Thehandle 200 may comprise an outer housing 202 with a reservoir 204disposed within. The reservoir 204 may comprise a hollowed interior ofthe housing 202 and may contain a cosmetic product 206. The cosmeticproduct 206 may comprise a liquid, gel, foam, or any other at leastpartially viscous cosmetic material such as foundation, primer, lipbalm, blush, concealer, highlighter, setting spray, fragrance, orremover. In some examples, the reservoir 204 may contain a liquid orcream emulsion, pressed powder, loose powder, dispersions, brushcleaner, water, and/or an anhydrous cream or liquid.

In some embodiments, the handle 200 may comprise the dispenser head 108.The dispenser head 108 may comprise a spray nozzle, an atomizer nozzle,an aeration nozzle, or a nozzle for dispensing a foam or a gel. In otherexamples, the dispenser head 108 may comprise a roller, a brush or anyother means of dispensing the cosmetic product 206.

In some examples, the dispenser head 108 may be communicatively coupledto the reservoir 204 via a conduit 208. The conduit 208 may connect aspray aperture 210 disposed on the dispenser head 108 to a dispensingmechanism 212. The dispensing mechanism 212 may comprise a pump (manualor electric), or any other mechanism for conveying the cosmetic product206 from the reservoir 202 through the spray aperture 210. In someexamples, providing a downward force 214 on the dispenser head 108 mayactuate the dispensing mechanism 212.

In other embodiments, the contents of the reservoir 204 may be underpressure (e.g., in the case of an aerosol compressed liquid or gasdispenser). In that case, the dispensing mechanism 212 may comprise avalve and an internal pressure 216 may convey the product 206 from thereservoir 204 and through the spray aperture 210 when the valve isopened, creating a mist, spray, stream, foam, or other dispersion 218 ofcosmetic product 206. In some examples, the internal pressure 216 may begreater than one standard atmosphere (atm), the typical externalenvironmental pressure. In some examples, the internal pressure 216 maybe between 2 and 5 atms.

The dispensing mechanism 212 may communicatively couple to a dip tube220 extending from the dispensing mechanism 212 into the reservoir 204.An end of the dip tube 220 may be submerged below a surface 222 of thecosmetic product 206 to receive the cosmetic product 206. In someexamples, the dip tube 220 may be an extension of the conduit 208.Although FIG. 2 illustrates the spray aperture 210, the conduit 208, andthe dispensing mechanism 212 being located together near an end of thehandle 200, many other configurations are possible, as discussed ingreater detail below with regard to FIGS. 6A-D.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example cosmetic device 300 comprising a handle302 having an at least partially flexible wall 304. The flexible wall304 may be in contact with the reservoir 204 of the handle 302. When anexternal force 306 is applied to the flexible wall 304, the force 306may be distributed into the reservoir 204, creating a pressurizedenvironment and forcing the cosmetic product 206 into the dip tube 220.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the flexible wall 304 may comprise only aportion (i.e., less than all) of an outer housing 308 of the handle 300.In other examples, the entire outer housing 308 may comprise theflexible wall 304. In some embodiments, squeezing or pressing againstthe handle 302 may cause dispensing of the cosmetic product 206. Theflexible wall 304 may comprise any flexible material such as plastic,rubber, metal foils, cellulose composites, and/or other compositematerials. In other examples, the flexible wall 304 may comprise a rigidmaterial (e.g., metal, wood, plastic, ceramics, and/or combinationsthereof) flexibly coupled to the rest of the outer housing 308 at itsedges, such that the flexible wall 304 may be pushed inwardly relativeto the rest of the outer housing 308 to dispense the cosmetic product206

FIG. 4 illustrates an example cosmetic device 400 comprising a handle402, an applicator 404 coupled to a ferrule 406, and a cap 408. Thecosmetic device 400 is illustrated in the separated position 108 witharrows 410 indicating the direction along a longitudinal dimension 412the applicator 404 and the cap 408 may be moved to change the cosmeticdevice 400 into the attached position. In some examples, the handle 402,the applicator 404, and/or the ferrule 406 may be elongated along thelongitudinal dimension 412. In other words, the longitudinal dimension412 of the cosmetic device 400 may be the greatest dimension of thecosmetic device 400.

In some embodiments, the cosmetic device 400 may comprise a couplingmechanism 414 disposed on the handle 402. For instance, the couplingmechanism 414 may comprise a protrusion or a plurality of protrusions onthe handle that correspond with a mating hole or a plurality of matingholes on a surface of the ferrule 406. In some examples, the couplingmechanism 414 may comprise a snap-fit, friction-fit, push-button,magnet, and/or threading. The coupling mechanism 414 may comprise afirst component 416 on the handle 402 that corresponds to a secondcomponent 418 on the ferrule 406.

In some examples, the handle 402, may comprise the dispenser head 108extending from an end of the handle 402 in a direction of thelongitudinal direction 412. The dispenser head 108 may comprise acircumferential shoulder 420 to stop an abutting end 422 of the ferrule406, aligning the first and second components 416 and 418 of thecoupling mechanism 414 when the device 400 is in the attached position110.

In some embodiments, the cosmetic device 400 may comprise the cap 408.As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cap 408 may be placed over the applicator404 to protect the applicator 404. The cap 408 may be removably coupledto the ferrule 406 via a second coupling mechanism 424. The secondcoupling mechanism 424 may comprise any of the aforementioned featuresand/or characteristics of the first coupling mechanism 414. The firstand second coupling mechanisms 414 and 424 may be substantially similaror they may be substantially different. In some examples, one or both ofthe coupling mechanisms 414 and/or 424 may be omitted.

In some examples, the handle 402, the ferrule 406, and/or the cap 408may comprise a substantially rigid or semi-rigid material such as metal,ceramic, glass, stone, wood, fiber glass, plastic, cellulose,composites, and/or combinations thereof. The handle 402, the ferrule 406and/or the cap 408 may comprise the same material, different materials,or combinations thereof. Portions of the handle 402, the ferrule 406and/or the cap 408 may comprise a transparent or translucent material.The handle 402, the ferrule 406 and/or the cap 408 may be monochrome orcomprise multiple colors.

FIG. 5 illustrates multiple embodiments of an applicator 500 coupled toa ferrule 502. A first embodiment 504 shows the applicator 500comprising a plurality of bristles 506. The plurality of bristles 506may comprise a synthetic material, such as plastic, silicone, latex,metal, or composites thereof, or a natural material, such as hair,cellulose fibers, cotton, hemp, flax or composites thereof. Theplurality of bristles 506 may be tightly coupled to the ferrule 502 at abase 508 of the plurality of bristles 506, and expand as they extendaway from the base 508.

A second embodiment 510 shows an applicator 500 comprising a flocking512. The flocking 512 may comprise a plurality of small fiber particlesdeposited onto a surface. The surface may be rigid or supple.

A third embodiment 514 shows an applicator 500 comprising a sponge 516.The sponge 516 may comprise any at least partially porous materialcapable of absorbing the cosmetic product 206 and releasing the cosmeticproduct 206 upon compression.

A fourth embodiment 518 shows an applicator 500 comprising a pen ormarker 520. The pen or marker 520 may be substantially rigid and mayreceive a marking material (e.g., ink, pigment, etc.) from a reservoirin the ferrule 500 communicatively coupled with a tip 522 of the pen ormarker 520. In other examples, the pen or marker 520 may receive themarking material externally by dipping the tip 522 in the markingmaterial.

In some embodiments, the applicator 500 may comprise a rigid orsemi-rigid spatula (not shown). The spatula may be used to scoop and/orspread the cosmetic product 206.

In some examples, the applicator 500 may have a polyhedral shape, asillustrated in FIG. 5. In other examples the applicator 500 may besubstantially rounded, squared, flat, slanted, beveled pointed, curved,tear-drop shaped, or any other shape suitable for applying the cosmeticproduct. The applicator 500 may extend in a direction substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal dimension. In other examples, theapplicator 500 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension.In some embodiments, multiple applicators 500 may be interchangeablewith a single handle 400. The applicator 500 may comprise a materialthat corresponds to a particular type of cosmetic product to be usedwith the applicator 500.

In some embodiments, the ferrule 502 may comprise a substantially rigidmaterial such as metal, ceramic, glass, stone, wood, plastic,composites, and/or combinations thereof. To effectively couple to theapplicator 500, the ferrule 502 may include crimps, screws, rivets,fusing, gluing, magnets, snap-fits, press-fits, stapling, notches, orany other coupling structures and/or methods suitable to hold theapplicator. The method of coupling the ferrule 502 to the applicator 500may be configured such that the applicator 500 can be removed andreplaced by another applicator (not shown) of a similar or differentconfiguration. In another embodiment, the method of coupling the ferrule502 to the applicator 500 may be substantially immutable.

As in the embodiments described above, the ferrule 502 may be a distinctunit from the applicator 500. However, in other embodiments the ferrule502 may be an extension of the applicator 500 so that the ferrule 502and the applicator 500 comprise a single applicator unit.

FIGS. 6A-D illustrates multiple embodiments of a handle 600. Eachembodiment shows a different configuration of a dispensing aperture 602and an actuator 604 with respect to the handle 600.

FIG. 6A illustrates a first embodiment 606 of the handle 600 with thedispensing aperture 602 disposed on a top portion 608 extending from amating end 610 (i.e., the end that mates with the ferrule 104) of thehandle 600. In some examples, the actuator 604 may be disposed on a sideof the handle 600. The actuator 604 may be communicatively coupled tothe dispensing mechanism 212 inside the handle 600 via a plurality oflinkages and/or interconnected components (not shown). Accordingly,actuating the actuator 604 may cause the cosmetic product 206 to bedispensed from the dispensing aperture 602

FIG. 6B illustrates a second embodiment 612 of the handle 600 with thedispensing aperture 602 disposed on a side of the handle 600. In thisembodiment, the actuator 604 may comprise the top portion 608, which maybe compressed to disperse the cosmetic product 206 out the dispensingaperture 602.

FIG. 6C illustrates a third embodiment 614 of the handle 600 with thedispensing aperture 602 disposed on the side of the handle 600 and theactuator 604 disposed on a bottom 616 of the handle 600. As discussedabove, the actuator 604 may be communicatively coupled to the dispensingmechanism 212 via a plurality of linkages and/or interconnectedcomponents such that compressing the actuator 604 may cause thedispensing mechanism 212 to release the cosmetic product 206 through thedispensing aperture 602. In some examples, the actuator 604 may bepositioned remote from the dispensing aperture 602.

FIG. 6D illustrates a fourth embodiment 618 of the handle with thedispensing aperture 602 disposed in the actuator 604, positioned on thebottom 616 of the handle 600. In some examples, a cap 620 may bepositionable over the dispensing aperture 602 and/or the actuator 604.The cap 620 may be held in place using any of the aforementionedcoupling mechanisms 414. The dispensing aperture 602 and/or the actuator604 may be disposed on an end of the handle 600 opposite the mating end610 that couples to an applicator 622.

CONCLUSION

Although this disclosure uses language specific to structural featuresand/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the scope of thedisclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actsdescribed. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed asillustrative forms of implementation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic device comprising: an applicatorcoupled to a first end of a ferrule, a cavity disposed at a second endof the ferrule opposite the first end; a handle comprising: a dispenserhead extending from an end of the handle; and a reservoir disposedwithin the handle communicatively coupled to the dispenser head; and theferrule removably coupled to the handle.
 2. The cosmetic device of claim1, wherein the dispenser head is received in the cavity.
 3. The cosmeticdevice of claim 1, the ferrule further comprising a coupling mechanismthat couples the ferrule to the handle.
 4. The cosmetic device of claim1, the dispenser head further comprising a spray nozzle, an atomizernozzle, an aeration nozzle, or a nozzle for dispensing a foam or gelproduct.
 5. The cosmetic device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir has aninternal pressurization greater than one standard atmosphere (atm). 6.The cosmetic device of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises abrush, a sponge, a spatula, a pen, a marker, or a flocking
 7. Thecosmetic device of claim 1, further comprising a cosmetic productdisposed in the reservoir.
 8. The cosmetic device of claim 7, whereinthe cosmetic product comprises foundation, primer, lip balm, blush,concealer, highlighter, setting spray, brush cleaner, fragrance, orremover.
 9. The cosmetic device of claim 1, further comprising a pumpthat dispenses a cosmetic product from the reservoir when actuated. 10.The cosmetic device of claim 1, the handle further comprising a flexiblewall that, when squeezed, applies a pressure to a cosmetic product inthe reservoir dispensing the cosmetic product out the dispenser head.11. The cosmetic device of claim 1, the dispenser head being disposed onan end of the handle opposite the ferrule.
 12. The cosmetic device ofclaim 1, further comprising a cap configured to mate with and enclosethe applicator or the dispenser head.
 13. A cosmetic sprayer comprising:an elongated handle having an interior reservoir for containing acosmetic product; a spray nozzle coupled to the elongated handle, thesprayer nozzle communicatively coupling to the reservoir and accessingthe cosmetic product; and an attachment mechanism disposed on the handlefor coupling the handle to a second cosmetic device.
 14. The cosmeticsprayer of claim 13, wherein the spray nozzle is coupled to the handleat a longitudinal end of the handle.
 15. The cosmetic sprayer of claim13, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a snap-fit mechanism,threaded mechanism, magnetic mechanism, friction-fit mechanism, orpush-button mechanism.
 16. The cosmetic sprayer of claim 13, furthercomprising the second cosmetic device comprising an applicator coupledto the handle via the attachment mechanism.
 17. The cosmetic sprayer ofclaim 13, wherein the spray nozzle is oriented to project the cosmeticproduct in a direction substantially perpendicular to an elongationdirection of the elongated handle.
 18. The cosmetic sprayer of claim 13,further comprising an actuator to expel the cosmetic product from thereservoir out the spray nozzle.
 19. The cosmetic sprayer of claim 18,wherein the spray nozzle is disposed in the actuator.
 20. The cosmeticsprayer of claim 18, wherein the spray nozzle is disposed remote fromthe actuator.